13 Best Websites to Sell Cars by Owner for Free

According to recent studies, an average of 40 million used cars are sold each year in the United States alone. This number has been steadily growing over the years, with an estimated growth rate of 5% per year. With the rise of online marketplaces, selling a car by owner has become much easier and more convenient. In fact, a significant portion of these 40 million used car sales now take place online, with private sellers using websites to reach a wider audience and simplify the selling process.

In this article, we will explore some of the best websites for selling a car by owner for free. We will discuss their features, pros, and cons, and help you determine which one is the best option for you.

Top 13 Websites to Sell Cars by Owner for Free

1. Autotrader.com
2. Cars.com
3. Cargurus.com
4. Carvana.com
5. Hemmings.com
6. Peddle.com
7. TrueCar.com
8. Bringatrailer.com
9. CarMax.com
10. CarsDirect.com
11. AutoList.com
12. AutoTempest.com
13. OfferUp

1. Autotrader.com

Autotrader.com can be a great option for car buyers as it provides access to a large selection of cars from private sellers and dealerships, giving them the opportunity to find the perfect vehicle at a price that works for them.

Traffic: 26.1 M
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.autotrader.com/sell-my-car

Pros:

• Free to list: As a seller, there are no costs associated with listing a car on Autotrader.com, making it a cost-effective way to sell a vehicle.
• Large audience: Autotrader.com has a large audience of car buyers, which increases the chances of a successful sale.
• Convenience: The platform allows sellers to list and manage their sales from the comfort of their own home, eliminating the need to spend time and money traveling to meet with potential buyers.
• Trustworthy: Autotrader.com has been in business for many years and has established a reputation for being a trustworthy and reliable platform for buying and selling cars.

Cons:

• Competition: With so many cars for sale on Autotrader.com, competition can be high, making it harder for a particular car to stand out from the rest.
• No guarantee of sale: Although the platform has a large audience, there is no guarantee that a car will sell. This means that a seller may have to keep their car listed for a longer period of time.
• Limited support: As a free service, Autotrader.com does not offer much support to sellers, which means that they may have to navigate the process on their own.

2. Cars.com

Cars.com is a good option for selling a car by owner if you’re looking for a dedicated car marketplace with advanced features and reach a large audience of potential buyers.. However, the fees can be a drawback for those who are looking for a completely free option.

Traffic: 39.5M
Listing: Free / Paid
Listing Link: https://www.cars.com/sell/

Pros:

• Dedicated car marketplace: Cars.com is specifically designed for selling cars, which means it has the necessary features and security to make the process as smooth and secure as possible.
• Advanced features: Cars.com offers advanced features, such as lead management tools and analytics, which can help you better understand the performance of your listing and get more visibility.
• Wide reach: With a large audience of potential buyers, Cars.com can help you reach a wide range of people and increase the chances of selling your car.

Cons:

•  Fees: Unlike websites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, Cars.com does charge fees to list your car for sale.
•  Limited targeting options: While Cars.com is a dedicated car marketplace, it does not offer advanced targeting options to help you reach the most relevant audience.

3. Cargurus.com

Cargurus.com provides a convenient and accessible solution for car sellers looking to reach a large audience of potential buyers.

Traffic: 19M
Listing: Paid
Listing Link: https://www.cargurus.com/sell-car/?pid=SellMyCarDesktopHeader

Pros:

• Free to list: Cargurus.com allows car sellers to list their vehicle for sale without incurring any costs, making it an economical option.
• Broad reach: The website has a large user base, providing sellers with a broad platform to reach potential buyers.
• User-friendly interface: Cargurus.com has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for sellers to list their cars and manage their sales.
• Market value pricing: The website provides market value pricing information to help sellers determine the right price for their car.

Cons:

• Competition: With a high volume of cars for sale on Cargurus.com, competition can be fierce, making it harder for a particular car to stand out.
• No guarantee of sale: As with any online platform, there is no guarantee that a car will sell on Cargurus.com, which means that a seller may have to keep their car listed for a longer period of time.
• Limited support: As a free service, Cargurus.com does not offer extensive support to sellers, meaning they may have to navigate the process on their own.

4. Carvana.com

Carvana.com provides a unique approach to selling a car designed to be easy and hassle-free.

Traffic: 11.2M
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.carvana.com/sell-my-car

Pros:

• Easy and hassle-free: Carvana’s process for selling a car is designed to be easy and hassle-free. Sellers can get a quote for their car in minutes and have it sold within a matter of days.
• Quick payment: Carvana pays sellers for their cars quickly, typically within three business days of the sale.
• No need for negotiations: The process of selling a car on Carvana eliminates the need for negotiations with buyers, as the price is pre-determined based on the vehicle’s condition and market value.
• No need for showings: With Carvana, sellers do not have to arrange for showings of their cars, which saves time and effort.

Cons:

• Limited to Carvana’s network: Carvana’s network of potential buyers is limited to the company’s customer base, which may not be as large as other online platforms.
• Limited control over pricing: Carvana determines the price for a seller’s car based on the vehicle’s condition and market value. This means that sellers may not have as much control over the final price as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• Possible lower price: Carvana’s process for determining the price of a car may result in a lower price than what the seller would receive from a private sale or through a dealership.

5. Hemmings.com

Hemmings.com is an online platform that specializes in classic and collector cars. The website provides a cost-effective solution for reaching a targeted audience of enthusiasts, and the team of experts can help sellers accurately price and market their vehicles.

Traffic: 7.1M
Listing: Paid
Listing Link: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/bundles/carsforsale

Pros:

• Targeted audience: Hemmings.com has a niche audience of classic and collector car enthusiasts, which can increase the chances of selling a rare or unique car.
• Expertise: The website has a team of experts who are knowledgeable about classic and collector cars, which can help sellers accurately price and market their vehicles.
• Cost-effective: Hemmings.com offers a free option for individuals to sell their car, making it a cost-effective option compared to other methods of selling a classic or collector car.
• Large audience: Hemmings.com has a large audience of classic and collector car enthusiasts, allowing sellers to market their cars to potential buyers.

Cons:

• Limited to classic and collector cars: Hemmings.com specializes in classic and collector cars, so it may not be the best option for individuals looking to sell a newer or more common car.
• Limited control over pricing: Hemmings.com provides market value information to help sellers price their cars, but they may not have as much control over the final price as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No guarantee of sale: As with any online platform, there is no guarantee that a car will sell on Hemmings.com, which means that a seller may have to keep their car listed for a longer period of time.

6. Peddle.com

Peddle.com provides a free option for individuals to sell their car as a buyer, making it a cost-effective solution for getting rid of an unwanted vehicle. Peddle provides a guaranteed offer, eliminating the need for haggling and negotiations, and operates nationwide. The offer price may not be as high as what could be obtained through other methods, and individuals may not have as much control over the process.

Traffic: 187.9 K
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://sell.peddle.com/instant-offer#condition-has-exterior-damage-question

Pros:

• Convenient: Peddle.com provides an easy and straightforward process for selling a car, allowing individuals to sell their vehicle without the hassle of advertising or negotiating with potential buyers.
• Quick process: Peddle.com offers a fast and efficient process for selling a car, often taking as little as 48 hours from start to finish.
• No haggling: The website provides a guaranteed offer for a car, eliminating the need for haggling or negotiating with potential buyers.
• Nationwide coverage: Peddle.com operates nationwide, allowing individuals to sell their car regardless of their location.

Cons:

• Offer price: The offer price provided by Peddle.com may not be as high as what an individual could get by selling their car through other methods, such as private sale or trade-in.
• No control over the process: The process of selling a car through Peddle.com is handled by the website, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No opportunity for negotiation: Because Peddle.com provides a guaranteed offer, individuals may not have the opportunity to negotiate a higher price for their car.
• Limited to private party sales: Peddle.com only handles private party sales, so individuals looking to sell their car to a dealership may not be able to use the website.

7. TrueCar.com

TrueCar.com operates nationwide, provides access to a large audience of potential buyers, and offers access to pricing information.

Traffic: 9.4M
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.truecar.com/sell-your-car/

Pros:

• Convenient: TrueCar.com provides a simple and straightforward process for selling a car, allowing individuals to list their vehicle and receive offers from interested buyers.
• Nationwide coverage: The website operates nationwide, allowing individuals to sell their car regardless of their location.
• Large audience: TrueCar.com has a large audience of potential buyers, increasing the chances of finding a buyer for a car.
• Access to pricing information: TrueCar.com provides access to pricing information for new and used vehicles, helping individuals to determine the value of their car and receive fair offers.

Cons:

• Limited control over the process: The process of selling a car through TrueCar.com is handled by the website, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No guarantee of sale: Although TrueCar.com provides access to a large audience of potential buyers, there is no guarantee that a car will sell.
• No opportunity for negotiation: Because the website provides offers from interested buyers, individuals may not have the opportunity to negotiate a higher price for their car.
• Commission fees: TrueCar.com may charge commission fees for successful sales, reducing the amount of money that an individual will receive for their car.

8. Bringatrailer.com

Bring a Trailer provides a specialized solution for individuals looking to sell a classic or collectible car as a buyer. The website provides increased exposure to a dedicated audience of enthusiasts and eliminates the need for haggling or negotiating. The auction format of Bringatrailer may not be suitable for all individuals.

Traffic: 2M
Listing: Paid
Listing Link: https://bringatrailer.com/submit-a-vehicle/

Pros:

• Specialized audience: Bring a Trailer specializes in classic and collector vehicles, providing access to a specialized audience of interested buyers.
• Increased exposure: The website’s large and dedicated audience of enthusiasts provides increased exposure for a car, increasing the chances of a successful sale.
• No haggling: The auction format of Bring a Trailer eliminates the need for haggling or negotiating with potential buyers.
• Commission-based fee: Bring a Trailer charges a commission-based fee for successful sales, reducing the need for an individual to pay upfront fees to sell their car.

Cons:

• Limited to classic and collector vehicles: Bring a Trailer specializes in classic and collector vehicles, so individuals looking to sell a newer or more common car may not be able to use the website.
• Auction format: The auction format of Bring a Trailer may not be suitable for all individuals, as it can lead to uncertainty and stress during the selling process.
• Commission fees: Bring a Trailer charges a commission-based fee for successful sales, reducing the amount of money that an individual will receive for their car.
• No control over the process: The process of selling a car through Bring a Trailer is handled by the website, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.

9. CarMax.com

CarMax is an online platform and chain of retail stores that offer used car sales, financing, and trade-ins.

Traffic: 3.4M
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.carmax.com/sell-my-car

Pros:

• Convenient: CarMax provides a simple and straightforward process for selling a car, allowing individuals to receive an offer for their vehicle in as little as 30 minutes.
• Nationwide coverage: CarMax operates retail stores nationwide, allowing individuals to sell their car regardless of their location.
• Guaranteed offer: CarMax provides a guaranteed offer for a car, ensuring that an individual will receive a fair price for their vehicle.
• No haggling: CarMax eliminates the need for haggling or negotiating with potential buyers, making the selling process stress-free.

Cons:

• Limited control over the process: The process of selling a car through CarMax is handled by the platform, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• Potential for lower offers: CarMax may offer a lower price for a car compared to other methods of selling, such as private sale or through a dealership.
• Commission fees: CarMax may charge commission fees for successful sales, reducing the amount of money that an individual will receive for their car.

10. CarsDirect.com

CarsDirect does not directly buy or sell cars, the website provides information and resources for individuals to sell their cars privately or through a dealership. CarsDirect does not charge commission fees, provides private sale options, and provides a wide range of information on the selling process.  No guaranteed offers are provided, and the potential audience may be limited.

Traffic: 933.3K
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.carsdirect.com/resources/sell-your-car

Pros:

• Wide range of information: CarsDirect provides a wide range of information and resources for individuals looking to sell a car, including articles and guides on the selling process.
• No commission fees: CarsDirect does not charge commission fees for individuals selling their car, allowing individuals to receive the full amount for their vehicle.
• Private sale options: CarsDirect provides information and resources for individuals looking to sell their car privately, offering more control over the selling process and potential for higher offers.

Cons:

• Limited control over the process: CarsDirect does not directly buy or sell cars, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No guaranteed offers: CarsDirect does not provide guaranteed offers for individuals selling their car, so the amount an individual will receive for their vehicle will depend on the success of their private sale.
• Limited audience: CarsDirect does not provide access to a large audience of potential buyers, so the exposure for a car may be limited compared to other methods of selling a car.

11. AutoList.com

AutoList provides a platform for individuals to list their cars for sale, allowing buyers to directly contact them to purchase the vehicle. The platform does not charge commission fees, provides access to a wide audience of potential buyers, and allows for more control over the selling process.

Traffic: 1.3M
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.cargurus.com/sell-car/?pid=AutoList

Pros:

• Private sale options: AutoList provides the option for individuals to sell their car through private sales, offering more control over the selling process and potential for higher offers.
• No commission fees: AutoList does not charge commission fees for individuals selling their car, allowing individuals to receive the full amount for their vehicle.
• Wide audience: AutoList provides access to a large audience of potential buyers, increasing the exposure of a car and the potential for successful sales.

Cons:

• Limited control over the process: While AutoList provides a platform for individuals to sell their car, the process of selling a car is ultimately handled by the buyer and seller, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No guaranteed offers: AutoList does not provide guaranteed offers for individuals selling their car, so the amount an individual will receive for their vehicle will depend on the success of their private sale.
• Risk of scams: Selling a car through private sale on AutoList carries the risk of scams or fraudulent activity, so it is important for individuals to take precautions and protect themselves when selling a car through this platform.

12. AutoTempest.com

AutoTempest is an online platform that provides a comprehensive search tool that aggregates listings from various online marketplaces and dealerships, allowing users to search for cars in one convenient location.

Traffic: 458.4K
Listing: Free
Listing Link: https://www.carvana.com/sell-my-car?utm_source=Autotempest&utm_medium=Referral&utm_content=Trade&utm_campaign=SellYourCar

Pros:

• Wide range of listings: AutoTempest aggregates listings from multiple online marketplaces and dealerships, providing a wide range of options for individuals looking to sell their cars.
• Easy-to-use search tool: AutoTempest provides a user-friendly search tool, allowing individuals to easily search for cars and find the right listing for their needs.
• No commission fees: AutoTempest does not charge commission fees for individuals selling their car, allowing individuals to receive the full amount for their vehicle.

Cons:

• Limited control over the process: AutoTempest does not directly buy or sell cars, so individuals may not have as much control over the process as they would with other methods of selling a car.
• No guaranteed offers: AutoTempest does not provide guaranteed offers for individuals selling their car, so the amount an individual will receive for their vehicle will depend on the success of their private sale.
• No private sale options: AutoTempest only aggregates listings from online marketplaces and dealerships, so individuals looking to sell their car through a private sale may not be able to find the right listing for their needs.

13. OfferUp

OfferUp is a popular online marketplace for buying and selling various goods, including cars. The website allows you to create a listing for your car with photos, a description, and your contact information, and reach a large audience of potential buyers.

Pros:

• Wide reach: OfferUp has a large audience of potential buyers, which can increase the chances of selling your car.
• Easy to use: The website is straightforward and simple to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
• No fees: OfferUp does not charge any fees to list your car for sale, making it a cost-effective option for selling your car by owner.

Cons:

• Limited features: Unlike other dedicated car marketplaces, OfferUp does not have many advanced features, such as lead management tools and analytics.
• Lack of security: OfferUp is not a dedicated car marketplace, so it does not have the same level of security as other websites. This can make it more difficult to protect yourself from scams and fraud.

In conclusion, OfferUp is a good option for selling a car by owner if you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective option. However, if you’re looking for advanced features and a higher level of security, you might want to consider other websites.